Wolverhampton baby death: 13-day-old son died after being 'sexually assaulted by parents'

Parents have been charged with sexually assaulting and neglecting their new-born baby sonReuters

A young mother and father from Wolverhampton have appeared in court over the death of their baby son. Daniel Sanzone, 22, from Whitburn Close in Pendeford, is accused of murder, causing or allowing the death of a child and neglect after the couple's son Joshua died following a cardiac arrest.

Eighteen-year-old Zoe Howell, from the same address, has been charged with causing or allowing the death of a child and neglect. The pair had previously been charged with grievous bodily harm, engaging in sexual activity with a child and allowing serious injury to an infant. They are due before Wolverhampton Crown Court on Friday to face those charges.

Two women, aged 46 and 32, who were also arrested on suspicion of assault at the time have been eliminated from the investigation.

Joshua was just two weeks old when he was taken to hospital with serious injuries in October 2015. He spent spent almost a month in intensive care before passing away in November. Sanzone had been remanded into custody following the original charges and Howell was on conditional police bail.